Raymond Madison Etheridge

DR. RAYMOND MADISON ETHERIDGE “DOC”, 91, of Granger, Texas passed away peacefully July 16, 2023, surrounded by his family.  He was born in a country home outside Hamburg, Arkansas to Hampton Allen and Minnie (Moore) Etheridge and was the youngest of six children.  He graduated high school in Crossett, Arkansas after having served a short deployment in the U.S. Army.  Doc began his career in Education completing a degree at Henderson State Teachers College (B.S.), kick started his teaching in Texas and coaching Eight-man high school football while attending East Texas State College (M.E.) then further earned his Doctorate (Ed.D.) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1972.

In 1955 he married the former Rose Marie Swartz in Little Rock, Arkansas.  By 1968, they have two children.

Dr. Etheridge’s administrative career as School Superintendent launched near St. Louis, MO and by 1978 he returns to Texas and journeys to settle in his ideal Texas community to serve and raise his family.  In 1982 he felt a true blessing to be hired by Granger ISD to serve as Superintendent. Over the span of his career, he taught as part time professor at UTSA as well as Austin Community College. Doc retired from Texas Education in 1992.  Invigorated by opportunity, Doc enjoyed several years representing Marrs Architect of Temple, TX and later Vanguard Construction specializing in design and construction of educational facilities.  Doc was a lifelong member and officer of Lions Club and active member of American Legion.

Doc was a Christian, a dedicated Sunday school teacher and a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Granger.  He loved leading congregational music and for decades shared his own music ministry with country guitar and gospel singing at many family, social, organizational, and church events.  He was an avid fisherman, hunter, loved dogs, the westerns, and football. Most notably, Doc was much loved by his family and many in his community.

He leaves his daughter, Mary Etheridge, of Maumelle, AR and his son Edwin (Kimberly) Etheridge of Taylor, TX and one grandson, Ethan. He is also survived by many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hampton & Minnie; brother, Hampton Jr.; sister, Mary Sawyer; sister, Helen Toole; sister, Joy Howell; brother, James Edwin; as well as his wife, Rose Marie Etheridge.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, July 29 at Providence Funeral Home; 807 Carlos Parker Blvd NW, Taylor, TX.  Visitation to be held at 9am with service at 10am.  Floral arrangements can be sent to Providence.  Contributions may also be made in memoriam to the Hampton & Minnie Etheridge Scholarship (30-004905) at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  UAM Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 3520, Monticello, AR 71656.